Fire -Fighting

Training
By :- Prosure
Technologies Pvt Ltd
About Prosure

Prosure Technologies has been providing the best

consulting, auditing and training services across
India in the field of Health & Safety, Fire Safety, ISO
Certifications, Security, Management Systems,
Emergency Preparedness, Crisis & Disaster
Management, Environmental & Social assessments,
Introduction
Key Topics Covered

• What is Fire.
• What is Fire triangle.
• Types of fires.
• Fire risk assessment.
• Flammable and Explosive materials and mechanism how ignite.
• Brief discussion on Fire point, Flash point, Auto ignition temperature, Vapor density, Limits of
flammability, lower explosive limit, upper explosive limit.
• Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosion, Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE), Confined Vapor
Cloud Explosion.
• Methods of extinguishing the fire.
• Types of fire extinguishers.
• Discussion on major fire previous incidents.
• How to fight the fire in Solar panel, Electrical panels, transformer fires.
• Inspection of fire extinguishers.
• Fire Mock Drills.
What is Fire
• A process in which substances combine
chemically with oxygen from the air and typically
give out bright light, heat, and smoke;
combustion or burning.

• Fire Triangle
What is Fire Triangle
Fuel: Any combustible material that can be burned, such as
wood, paper, cloth, or gasoline.
Heat: The energy source that raises the fuel's temperature to
its ignition point, allowing it to combine with oxygen. Examples
include flames, sparks, or hot surfaces.
Oxidizing Agent (Oxygen): A substance that readily reacts
with other materials, typically oxygen from the air. Oxygen
supports combustion, enabling the fire to continue burning.
Fire Triangle
Classes Of Fire
TYPES
Class A Class B Class C Class D
Ordinary flammable or Energized Certain
combustibles or combustible electrical combustible
fibrous material, liquids such as equipment, such metals, such as
such as wood, gasoline, as appliances, magnesium,
switches, panel titanium,
paper, cloth, kerosene, paint, boxes and potassium, and
rubber, and some paint thinners power tools. sodium
plastics. and propane
Types Of Fire Extinguisher
Method Of Fire Response
What is Flash Point?
• Definition: The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off
enough vapor to form a flammable mixture with air that can ignite
momentarily.
• Test Methods:
• Closed Cup : Simulates confined conditions.
• Open Cup : Simulates open-air scenarios.
• Significance:
• Classification of materials as flammable (Flash point < 37.8°C) or combustible
(Flash point > 37.8°C).
• Required in MSDS for chemical safety.
• Example: Gasoline has a flash point of -43°C
What is Fire Point ?
Definition: The fire point is the minimum temperature at which
a substance produces enough vapors to sustain combustion for
at least five seconds after ignition by an external flame.
• Importance:
• Indicates sustained combustion risk.
• Higher than the flash point, hence more accurate in determining fire
hazard.
• Industrial Implication:
• Used in designing fire prevention systems in fuel storage and chemical
processing industries.
• Example:
• Diesel has a fire point around 52°C–96°C, which is notably higher than
its flash point.
Auto Ignition Temperature (AIT)

• Definition: The minimum temperature at which a substance will

ignite spontaneously without an external flame or ignition source.
• Relevance:
• Critical in areas with high surface temperatures (e.g., engines, heaters).
• Influences selection of materials and safety distances.
• Factors Affecting AIT:
• Pressure, oxygen concentration, and chemical composition.
• Example:
• AIT of paper is approximately 233°C.
• AIT of acetylene is 305°C.
Vapor Density

• Definition: Ratio of the mass of a given volume of vapor

to the mass of an equal volume of air (Air = 1).
• Significance:
• Vapors with density > 1 are heavier than air and settle in low-
lying areas, increasing explosion risk.
• Important in ventilation design and leak detection.
• Example:
• Propane: Vapor density = 1.52 (settles in pits).
• Ammonia: Vapor density = 0.59 (rises and disperses).
What is limit of flammability
• Flammability limits define the range of a fuel concentration in air
where ignition can lead to a sustained combustion flame. These
limits are crucial for understanding and preventing fires and
explosions.
• Lower Flammability Limit (LFL):
The minimum concentration of fuel in air at which a flame can propagate. Below this limit,
there is not enough fuel to sustain combustion.
• Upper Flammability Limit (UFL):
The maximum concentration of fuel in air at which a flame can propagate. Above this limit, the
mixture is too rich in fuel and will not burn.
• Flammable Range
Flammable or Explosive Range = Between LEL and UEL
Ignition is only possible when:
LEL<Concentrationofvaporinair<UELLEL < Concentration of vapor in air <
UELLEL<Concentrationofvaporinair<UEL
• Narrow Range Example: Propane (LEL 2.1% – UEL 9.5%)
• Wide Range Example: Hydrogen (LEL 4% – UEL 75%)
LEL ( Lower Exposure Limit )
•The minimum concentration of a flammable gas or vapor in air required to ignite.
•Below LEL, the mixture is too lean (not enough fuel) to burn.
•Example:
•Methane LEL = 5% → Less than 5% in air = no ignition.
UEL ( Upper Exposure Limit )
•The maximum concentration of gas or vapor in air above which ignition is not possible.
•Above UEL, the mixture is too rich (not enough oxygen) to ignite.
•Example:
•Methane UEL = 15% → More than 15% in air = no ignition.
Boiling Point Definition
• Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid changes
to a gas (vapor) at normal atmospheric pressure. A more
specific definition of boiling point is the temperature at
which the vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to the external
pressure
Boiling Point
• MSDS relevance
• Knowing the boiling point of a substance is an important
consideration for storage. For example, storing a chemical
with a boiling point of 50 °C (122 °F) in direct sunlight or
next to a boiler could cause the material to completely
vaporize and/or result in a fire or explosion.

Items with a low boiling point generally have a high

vapor pressure. Containers of such material can build up
significant pressure even when they are below their boiling
point. Likewise, low-boiling materials easily produce large
amounts of vapor which can be flammable or
even explosive.
Flash & Ignition Points
Sufficient heat energy must be
applied to raise the fuel to it’s
ignition temperature.
Open flame Hot surfaces
Sparks and arcs Friction
• This reaction can occur when
• all three of the above elements
• are present in the proper
• conditions & proportions.
Extinguishment Theory
• Remove Heat
• Remove Fuel
• Reduce Oxygen
• WILL
• Inhibit Chemical
Chain Reaction
Proactive Fire Safety
Fire Risk Analysis Cont.
• Identify the fuel source & eliminate it if possible.
• Identify the heat source and eliminate it if possible.
• Terminate behaviors that lead to hazardous conditions &
replace with appropriate behaviors conducive to good
fire safety.

1. Storing flammable and combustible in appropriate areas.

2. On equipment, in fire cabinets, in work areas.
Identifying Fire Hazards In Your
Work Area
• What chemical are present in your work area? What are
there flash points?
• In stationary equipment areas
• On mobile equipment
• At shops
• What heat source are present?
• Thermal (heat)
• Electrical
• Radiant
Do You Know Your Flashpoints?
• The following is a list of chemicals used on this site, some
of these you may even use at home.
• Do you know how they are stored?
• At work?
• At home?
• See if you know which chemical is which.
Flammable Liquids
• Vapor Density
• “Vapor density” is a measure of how heavy a vapor is compared
to air.

• Vapors with a density greater than 1.0 are heavier than air and
can collect near the floor, and “flow” like a liquid.

• This may create a fire/explosion hazard if the vapor flows to an

ignition source.
What is Fire Risk Assessment?

• Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a systematic evaluation of

a building or workplace to:
• Identify fire hazards
• Assess the risk of fire occurring
• Evaluate the consequences
• Implement control measures to reduce or eliminate fire
risks
Key Steps in Fire Risk Assessment (5-
Step Approach)
•Identify Fire Hazards
Sources of ignition (e.g., electrical equipment, open flames)
Sources of fuel (e.g., paper, wood, chemicals)
Oxygen sources (ventilation, oxidizers)
•Identify People at Risk
Employees, visitors, contractors
Especially vulnerable people (disabled, elderly, lone workers)
•Evaluate, Remove or Reduce the Risk
Assess likelihood and impact
Apply control measures: fire alarms, extinguishers, safe storage,
emergency exits
•Record Findings and Prepare Emergency Plan
Document hazards and actions taken
Develop and communicate evacuation plans

•Review and Update the Assessment

Regularly review (annually or after changes)
Update after incidents or major workplace changes
How To Extinguish a Fire ?
Inspection of Fire Extinguishers
Why Inspection is Important

• Ensures the extinguisher is ready to use in an emergency

• Meets safety regulations (e.g., NFPA 10, IS 2190)
• Helps identify damage, discharge, or expiry
Monthly Inspection Checklist
• Physical Condition
• No dents, leaks, or rust
• Hose and nozzle intact
• Pressure Gauge
• Needle in the green zone
• Tamper Seal & Pin
• Seal not broken
• Pin in place
• Label & Instructions
• Clear and legible
• Location & Accessibility
• Mounted properly
• Not blocked or hidden
• Inspection Tag
• Updated with date & initials
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
(BLEVE)
What is BLEVE?
• A violent explosion that occurs when a pressurized
container holding a liquefied gas (above its boiling
point) ruptures.
• Common in LPG tanks, propane cylinders, or other
pressurized vessels.
 Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
(BLEVE)
How BLEVE Happens Hazards of BLEVE
• Container is heated • Blast wave (shock and
(typically by external fire). pressure)
• Liquid inside reaches or • Thermal radiation (fireball)
exceeds boiling point. • Flying fragments (metal
• Pressure increases rapidly. pieces from container)
• Vessel fails or ruptures. • Secondary fires or toxic
• Superheated liquid instantly releases
vaporizes, causing:
• A massive explosion
• Fireball and shockwave
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
(BLEVE)
Prevention Measures
• Cool tanks with water spray during nearby fire
• Pressure relief valves must function properly
• Maintain safe distances (zoning)
• Follow regular inspection & maintenance procedures
Examples of BLEVE
• LPG tanker explosions
• Industrial storage tank failures
What is a Fire Mock Drill?

•A simulated fire emergency conducted to practice evacuation procedures, test

response time, and ensure that employees know what to do during a real fire.
Helps train staff and identify gaps in emergency preparedness.
Objectives of Fire Mock Drill
• Ensure safe and quick evacuation
• Familiarize staff with emergency exits, alarms, and assembly
points
• Test the functionality of fire safety systems
• Improve coordination among emergency teams (fire wardens,
security, first aiders)
Basic Steps in a Fire Mock Drill
Pre-drill Planning
•Assign roles (Fire Warden, First Aider, Observer)
•Inform key personnel (without alerting all staff)
Initiation
•Activate the fire alarm
•Announce the drill (if planned)
Evacuation
•Staff must move calmly to assembly area
•Ensure all persons are accounted for
Review & Debrief
•Discuss response time, behavior, and any issues
•Record observations and suggest improvements